U.N. Convention doesn’t denigrate the role of parents

David Garzetta (silive.com letters, May 20, 2010) indicated his opposition to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. He voiced his support for a Constitutional Amendment which he says would “affirm...support of parents, not the government, as the primary arbiter to direct the raising, the education, and upbringing future generations of Americans.”

There seems to be some confusion as to the intent of the Convention. In fact, Article 5 of the Convention explicitly states, “ Governments should respect the rights and responsibilities of families to direct and guide their children so that, as they grow, they learn to use their rights properly.”

And further, Article 18 of the Convention states, “Both parents share responsibility for bringing up their children, and should always consider what is best for each child. Governments must respect the responsibility of parents for providing appropriate guidance to their children — the Convention does not take responsibility for children away from their parents and give more authority to governments. It places a responsibility on governments to provide support services to parents, especially if both parents work outside the home.”

Nowhere does the Convention state that the government would take over the rearing of our children.

The Convention also deals with the rights of the child to life, education, health, and the right not be exploited for labor or sexual purposes, among other rights.